which 18" tyres?

hustler1 said:

hi mate, i have the street terrain ziex s/t zo1 and like i said great allround tyre, in all the snow last winter i only managed to get the TC light on once

wierd thing is though that checking on black circles web that they are £112 fitted, now i'm sure that when i looked in summer they were £85 ish

do tyre prices go up once the weather turns an people start thinking of updating ???

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Just ordered the Falken STZ01 's just for the front for now. Got a decent price £100 inc fitting.

Are you just putting NEW tyres on the FRONT ?

If so,
think again

Every bit of literature and many people on this site will tell you to put NEW tyres on the REAR

The reason is that the effect of the gearing ratio by having the slightly taller wheel on the rear compared to the front can knacker your VCU then IRD and then rear Differential.

So, NEW tyres always go on the back and you move the existing rears to the Front

Thanks for the heads up on that, I didn't realise it could cause damage. I can see this being a very expensive job.

So how much will just replacing the rears improve traction in snow?

Cheers mate!

The Freelander is principally a Front wheel Drive Vehicle which uses a Viscosity Coupling Unit to share a small percentage of drive to the rear wheels.
If the front wheels start slipping and then rotating faster than the rears, the coupling "stiffens" and provides more drive to the rear

This is aided by the Traction Control system that slows any individual freespinning wheel by applying the brake at that wheel, and, thus provide that torque to the other wheels without the need for a Diff Lock.

It is designed to work as an "overall" package - so it is ideal to have all 4 tyres with - as best as can be managed - the same amount of grip value.


The fronts wear faster than the rears, so best to put new on the rear and move the part worn (about halfway) to the front.

If all your tyres are barely legal, then you are gonna have grip issues in this weather even with the new ones on the rear.

i've also read that if your using different brands on front and back the nominal sizes may be different and it would be worth running a tape around them and put the largest diameter same pair on the rear axle

affseofl2654 said:

Just got off the phone with the local tyre centre, they are recommending Pirelli Scorpion at £125+vat each.

Should these be ok?

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Dunno...but i'm impressed that they take the phone at 5 in the morning...no wait...

Its a 1st post spammer!!!! See, you nearly tricked me...but the crappy links on your sig gave it away...

In my best spanish..ahem,......**** OFF PEDRO!!!!

storm99 said:

Dunno...but i'm impressed that they take the phone at 5 in the morning...no wait...

Its a 1st post spammer!!!! See, you nearly tricked me...but the crappy links on your sig gave it away...

In my best spanish..ahem,......**** OFF PEDRO!!!!

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:hysterically_laughi

good morning Storm.

barmatt said:

:hysterically_laughi

good morning Storm.

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Morning..are you my replacement? I'm off home to bed in 6 mins

Been a quiet night!

storm99 said:

Morning..are you my replacement? I'm off home to bed in 6 mins

Been a quiet night!

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quiet night, or did you put extra medication in the loonies horlicks at bedtime?

Er ok, I called my local 4x4 specialists earlier (not that local) to see what they recommend, they disagreed with the new pair on the back or replace all 4 theory stating it as a myth even to the point of saying they'd put their neck on the line and gaurantee no problems. Incidentally I have read of the issue on another forum, so I'm inclined to believe there is some truth in it, no smoke without fire and all.

Glad I found this thread, when I asked the same question recently about a good AT tyre for the Sport I had several people telling me don't bother - buy yourself some 16" steels! Uh no I don't think so - that's why I bought a Sport model because it's set off with nice alloys etc.

Good couple of recommendations on this thread though so thanks.

Si

I got the falkens fitted today (all 4) and have to say its like driving a different beast.
Now it powers through the snow on hills and lanes. No real need for dedicated winter tyres IMHO. Well worth it.

Rodd - how did you find the road noise and which model and how much per corner did they work out?

Si

Hi mate, I went for the Falken Stz01 at £117 a corner fitted. Haven't really heard any difference in road noise but then every road around here is covered in snow. Need a dry road to hear properly. The alternatives were the Pirelli Scorpion str's but they were about £70 each corner more expensive. I've read they are good but quite noisy.

I have just fit a set of Hankook Ice bear w300's. What a difference! I am now able to assend/descend 1in5 inclines with any level of snow covering. Also as the name suggests they're so much more surefooted in icy conditions. Didn't break the bank either at £138.75 from tyremen.com. Cannot recommend enough

Also cause no ill affects at speed so think i'll be able to run all year round

I recently put a set of Pirelli Scorpion STR on mine for £120 a corner inc vat! (hi-Q). Ive been driving around in the recent show and have been impressed with the grip!
but can still get some sideways action if you want

Unfortunately I don't think you have many tyre options with the 18 inch wheels! so get charged like a wounded bull for the well know brands!!